Snow plow deflector

ABSTRACT

A snow plow having a generally concave surface and an upper edge includes a snow plow deflector attached to the upper edge. The deflector includes recessed edges on the distal ends of the snow plow deflector for use in effectively channeling away displaced frozen precipitation.

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses fordeflecting precipitation and more specifically to a snow plow having adeflector with recessed ends.

B. Description of the Related Art

It is known in the art to include a snow plow on the front of a vehiclefor displacing precipitation along a roadway or other paved surface. Inmany instances the snow plow is connected to the front of the vehicleand may be maneuvered about various axes for directing theprecipitation, which may be snow, sleet, or other frozen precipitation.As the frozen precipitation is being channeled by the snow plow,frequently the frozen precipitation may fall back onto the surface thatis being cleared. It is desirable therefore when the frozenprecipitation is being plowed, to effectively displace the frozenprecipitation away from the surface being cleared.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One advantage of this invention includes a snow plow device, comprising:a contiguously formed, rigid blade member for use in displacingassociated precipitation, the blade member having a first concave sideand a second convex side, the blade member having an upper edge;connecting means for use in connecting the blade member to an associatedvehicle, the connecting means operatively connected to the second convexside of the blade member; and, a contiguously formed, semi-rigiddeflector member having first and second sides and first and secondends, the deflector member being fixedly connected substantially alongthe entire length of the upper edge of the blade member at the firstside of the deflector member, the deflector member extending downwardwith respect to the upper edge of the first concave side, wherein asubstantially 45° angular recess is formed in the first and second endsrespectively, and wherein the second side of the deflector member issubstantially shorter than the first side of the deflector member.

Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, comprising: agenerally concave plow blade having an upper edge; connecting means foruse in connecting the plow blade to an associated prime mover; and, adeflector member having at least a first side and first and second ends,wherein the at least a first side of the deflector member is juxtaposedto at least a first portion of the upper edge of the plow blade, whereinthe deflector member extends outward with respect to the upper edge ofthe plow blade, and wherein a recess in fashioned in the first andsecond ends of the deflector member respectively.

Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein thedeflector member is operatively attached with respect to the upper edgeof the plow blade substantially along the entire length of the upperedge of the plow blade. has a generally trapezoidal shape.

Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein thedeflector member has a second side spaced apart from the first side,and, wherein the second side of the deflector member is substantiallyshorter that the first side of the deflector member.

Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein thedeflector member is a semi-rigid deflector member, and, wherein the plowblade is a rigid plow blade.

Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein thedeflector member is substantially concave, and wherein the concavity ofthe deflector member faces downward toward the associated ground.

Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein theconnecting means is for use in connecting the snow plow to an associatedvehicle.

Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein therecess is an angular recess with respect to a longitudinal access of thedeflector member.

Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein theangle of the angular recess is between 35° and 55°.

Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein theangle of the angular recess is substantially 45°.

Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein therecess is a curved recess.

Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a readingand understanding of the following detailed specification.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail inthis specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whichform a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with attached snow plow anddeflector.

FIG. 2 is a perspective cut away view of the snow plow and plow frame.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the snow plow and attached deflector.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a snow plow deflector withrecessed edges.

FIG. 4 a is a schematic representation of a snow plow deflector withrecessed edges.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not forpurposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 1, which may be atruck, tractor or other vehicle, including a snow plow shown generallyat 2. The plow 2 may be mounted on vehicle 1 by a plow frame 4, whichmay include mounting brackets 5, and a support assembly 6, shown in FIG.2. The plow 2 may be mounted on the plow frame 4 for pivotal movementabout various axes, e.g. vertical and horizontal. The vertical positionof the plow may be controlled by a lift cylinder, not shown, which maybe mounted on a bracket, not shown. Horizontal movement of the plow 2may be accomplished by side actuators or cylinders. It is noted that anynumber of axes of movement and any manner of actuation may beincorporated into the plow 2 as chosen with sound engineering judgment.As is well known in the art, the plow 2 may be maneuvered about thevarious axes of movement during use for the purpose of displacingprecipitation, such as snow, sleet, ice, water and the like. In oneembodiment, the plow 2 may be attached to a truck 1 wherein the truck 1may travel along a road or parking area. The operator of the vehicle 1and plow 2 may raise, lower and tilt the snow plow 2 as needed for usein displacing the precipitation. In that the movement of the snow plow 2and connection of the snow plow 2 to vehicle 1 is known in the art, nofurther explanation will be offered at this time.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the snowplow 2 may include a plow blade 8 having a first front side 9 and asecond rear side 10. In one embodiment, the first front side 9 of theplow blade 8 may be generally concave in shape. Accordingly, the secondrear side 10 of the plow blade may be convex in shape. It is noted herethat any configuration of plow blade 8 may be chosen with soundengineering judgment including but not limited to the aforementionedconcave/convex configuration, a straight/flat configuration or any othershape. The plow blade 8 may also include actuators 13 for use inmaneuvering the plow blade 8 about the various axes of movement. Anytype, quantity and/or configuration of actuator may be incorporated asis appropriate for use with the subject invention. Continuing, the plowblade 8 may be maneuvered by way of a control mechanism or controller,not shown, which may be remotely located in the cab of the vehicle orelsewhere. In this way, the operator may engage the controller tomanipulate the plow 2 as desired. As the actuation and movement of theplow blade is well known in the art, no further explanation will beoffered at this time.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, the rear side 10 of theplow blade may include mounting brackets 5 as previously mentioned. Themounting brackets 5 may be configured to selectively detachably receivea support assembly 6, shown most clearly in the cutaway view of FIG. 2.Pins 15 may be included that engage both the support assembly 6 and themounting brackets 5 and which may be inserted to selectively connect themounting brackets 5 and support assembly 6 together. In this way, theplow blade 8 may be affixed to the plow frame 4 and subsequently to thevehicle. In one embodiment, the mounting brackets 5 may be fixedlyconnected to the plow blade 8 via welding or any other method chosenwith sound engineering judgment. Additionally, the support assembly 6may be mounted or bolted to the frame 17 of the vehicle 1. In thismanner, the plow blade 8, with mounting brackets 5 and support assembly6, may be juxtaposed to the vehicle 1 and connected together by way ofthe pins 15. It is noted at this point that any manner of connecting theplow 2 and plow blade 8 to the support frame 6 and vehicle 1 may bechosen with sound engineering judgment as is appropriate with thepresent invention.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the plow blade 8 may be a contiguouslyformed, rigid blade member 8. In other words, the plow blade 8 or blademember 8 may be constructed from rigid material such as steel, othermetal, metal alloy, other composite, plastic and the like. The rigidplow blade 8 may alternately be constructed from individual plow bladesegments joined together via any means chosen with sound engineeringjudgment. The plow blade 8 may include an upper edge 18 and a lower edge19. A deflector member 21 may be affixed to the upper edge 18 of theblade member 8 via fasteners 26 or other connecting means 26, as will bediscussed in detail in a subsequent paragraph. Similarly, a lower lipportion 23 may be affixed proximate to the lower edge 19 of the blademember 8 via fasteners 26. In one embodiment, the lower lip portion 23may contact the ground during use of the snow plow 2.

With reference again to FIG. 3 and now to FIG. 4, the deflector member21 may be a semi-rigid contiguously formed deflector member 21. Bycontiguously formed it is meant that the deflector member 21 does notinclude gaps or breaks along the length of the blade member 21. It iscontemplated in an alternate embodiment that the blade member 21 mayinclude separate individual segments individually fastened atconsecutive positions along the upper edge 18 of the blade member 8.Continuing, by semi-rigid it is meant that the deflector member 21 mayflex somewhat under stress or load without breaking or being permanentlydeformed. The deflector member 21 may also be generally longitudinal inconfiguration having a longitudinal axis Y and a width W. In oneembodiment, the length L_(d) of the deflector member 21 may extendsubstantially along the entire length L_(b) of the blade member 8.However, any length of deflector member 21 may be chosen with soundengineering judgment. The deflector member 21 may have first 28 andsecond 29 sides and first 31 and second 32 ends. In one embodiment, thelength L_(d1) of the first side 28 may be different from the lengthL_(d2) of the second side 29. In the preferred embodiment, L_(d1) may belonger than L_(d2) as will be discussed in detail in the followingparagraphs. It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that L_(d1)may be shorter than L_(d2). However, any ratio of lengths L_(d1)/L_(b)and L_(d1)/L_(d2) may be chosen with sound engineering judgment as isappropriate for use with plow blade 8.

With reference to FIGS. 3 through 4 a, as shown the first side 28 of thedeflector member 21 may be juxtaposed to the upper edge 18 of the blademember 8. Connecting means 26, which may be threaded bolts 26, may beinserted through the deflector member 21 and into holes, not shown, inthe blade member 8. In this way, the deflector member 21 may be fixedlysecured to the blade member 8. It is noted that any type of connectingmeans 26 may be used to fixedly secure the deflector member 21 to theblade member 8 including but not limited to threaded bolts, nuts,threaded holes, rivets, and the like.

With reference again to FIGS. 3 through 4 a, the configuration of thedeflector member 21 will now be discussed. As previously mentioned, thefirst side 28 of the deflector member 21 has a length L_(d1) and theupper edge 18 of the blade member 8 has a length L_(b). In oneembodiment, the lengths L_(d1) and L_(b) may be substantially equal inlength. That is to say that the first side of the deflector member 21may extend all along the length of the upper edge 18 of the blade member8. A recess 35 may be fashioned in the first and second ends 31, 32 ofthe deflector member 21. By recess it is meant that a portion of an edgeof an object may be removed leaving an alternative edge shape orconfiguration. By way of example, a portion of a rectangular edge may beremoved leaving a trapezoidal shape, reference FIG. 4. In this manner,the rectangular edge changes shape respective of the removed angularportion. With reference to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, an angular recess 43 may be fashioned in the first and secondends 31, 31 of the deflector member 2 i leaving a trapezoidalconfiguration. The edge 40 of the angular recess may be a linear edge40. The linear edge 40 of the angular recess 43 may form an angle A withthe longitudinal axis of the deflector member 21. In the preferredembodiment, the angle A may be substantially 45°. However, the angle Amay be within the range of 35° to 55° degrees. In an alternateembodiment, a curved recess 43′, shown in FIG. 4 a, may be fashioned inthe first and second ends 31, 32 of the deflector member 21. It is notedat this point that any configuration of recess fashioned in thedeflector member 21 may be chosen with sound engineering judgment. Itwill be recognized in the Figures that the recesses formed in thedeflector member 21 are symmetrical about a centerline of the deflectormember 21. Accordingly, it is contemplated in an alternate embodimentthat different configurations of recesses may be formed in the first andsecond ends 31, 32 of the deflector member 21. For example, a linearangular recess 43 may be formed in the first end 31 and a curved recess43′ may be formed in the second end 32 of the deflector member 21. Theabove description of forming the recess, which is described as removinga portion of the edge of an object, should not be construed as limitingthe manner in which the recess may be fashioned in the ends 31, 32 ofthe deflector member 21. That is to say that the deflector member 21 maybe molded into the depicted configurations without removing actualmaterial from the edges of the deflector member 21. In fact, any mannerof forming the deflector member 21 and/or recesses 43, 43′ may be chosenwith sound engineering judgment.

With reference to all of the Figures, the deflector member 21 may extenddownward with respect to a horizontal axis coincident with the upperedge 18 of the blade member 8. Additionally, the deflector member 21 maybe substantially concave in configuration. In this manner, the concaveportion of the deflector member 21 may face downward toward thegenerally concave portion of the blade member 8. It is noted that anyconfiguration of deflector member may be chosen with sound engineeringjudgment including but not limited to a linear deflector member 21.

The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods mayincorporate changes and modifications without departing from the generalscope of this invention. It is intended to include all suchmodifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope ofthe appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:

1. A snow plow device, comprising: a contiguously formed, rigid blademember for use in displacing associated precipitation, the blade memberhaving a first concave side and a second convex side, the blade memberhaving an upper edge; connecting means for use in connecting the blademember to an associated vehicle, the connecting means operativelyconnected to the second convex side of the blade member; and, acontiguously formed, semi-rigid deflector member having first and secondsides and first and second ends, the deflector member being fixedlyconnected substantially along the entire length of the upper edge of theblade member at the first side of the deflector member, the deflectormember extending downward with respect to the upper edge of the firstconcave side, wherein a substantially 45° angular recess is formed inthe first and second ends respectively, and wherein the second side ofthe deflector member is substantially shorter than the first side of thedeflector member.
 2. A snow plow, comprising: a generally concave plowblade having an upper edge; connecting means for use in connecting theplow blade to an associated prime mover; and, a deflector member havingat least a first side and first and second ends, wherein the at least afirst side of the deflector member is juxtaposed to at least a firstportion of the upper edge of the plow blade, wherein the deflectormember extends outward with respect to the upper edge of the plow blade,and wherein a recess in fashioned in the first and second ends of thedeflector member respectively.
 3. The snow plow of claim 2, wherein thedeflector member is operatively attached with respect to the upper edgeof the plow blade substantially along the entire length of the upperedge of the plow blade.
 4. The snow plow of claim 3, wherein thedeflector member has a generally trapezoidal shape.
 5. The snow plow ofclaim 4, wherein the deflector member has a second side spaced apartfrom the first side, and, wherein the second side of the deflectormember is substantially shorter that the first side of the deflectormember.
 6. The snow plow of claim 5, wherein the deflector member is asemi-rigid deflector member, and, wherein the plow blade is a rigid plowblade.
 7. The snow plow of claim 6, wherein the deflector member issubstantially concave, and wherein the concavity of the deflector memberfaces downward toward the associated ground.
 8. The snow plow of claim7, wherein the connecting means is for use in connecting the snow plowto an associated vehicle.
 9. The snow plow of claim 2, wherein therecess is an angular recess with respect to a longitudinal access of thedeflector member.
 10. The snow plow of claim 9, wherein the angle of theangular recess is between 35° and 55°.
 11. The snow plow of claim 10,wherein the angle of the angular recess is substantially 45°.
 12. Thesnow plow of claim 2, wherein the recess is a curved recess.